How can you minimize fraudulent workers' compensation claims?

Employers walk a fine line when it comes to handling worker injuries. They may want to take care of an employee who has gotten hurt or become ill on the job. However, they also want to weed out those who attempt to make false injury reports. There are a number of measures that you can implement when hiring your staff and when an employee files a claim to make sure that you don't get taken advantage of.

Before hiring a prospective employee, you'll want to perform a thorough background and credit check on them. It may reveal that they've been convicted of fraud before or that they have a child support lien or other debts. It may also ease your mind to do random drug testing on applicants.

You should post signs around the workplace warning workers that you have zero tolerance for fraud. You can also post signs emphasizing different ways they can work more safely.

It can be beneficial for you to keep your ears open to chatter among employees -- especially as they describe a worker's lack of attention to safety. You may want to use surveillance cameras in work areas to ensure that they're not acting recklessly.

You should be clear about the procedure that should be followed if an injury does occur. It's important that you always have a medical provider's name and number handy so that they can seek medical treatment right away after an injury occurs.

During your investigation into their injury, you should question both the victim and their coworkers to see if their stories align. You should document the names of witnesses and photograph the scene where the incident occurred. Promptly report the injury to your insurance company and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

When your employee contacts you after seeing the doctor, you should let them know that you want to get them back to work as soon as possible and that you can provide them with alternative tasks to do

Lafayette is home to employees working in a variety of industries, including commercial fishing, offshore drilling, hospitality, manufacturing and construction. Work in these fields can result in worker injuries. If you're concerned that an employee is passing off a fraudulent claim, an experienced attorney can help you contain your costs.

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